Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join others in welcoming an early debate next week on the pension levy. It remains my hope and that of colleagues in this House that a mechanism can be found whereby we can ensure those people in the lower paid brackets are looked after in a better way than is currently proposed. The measures that have had to be introduced are enormously traumatic for a generation and a half, effectively, which has known nothing other than increments and benchmarking, with positive steps and measures. However, the situation has changed drastically and measures have had to be introduced that were unimaginable some months ago, never mind years ago.

None the less, while we cannot direct the wind, we can adjust the sails. I hope that, in the context of the debates in both Houses on the levy legislation, a mechanism can be found that is equitable and fair to all concerned, particularly those who are less well-off. We must spare a thought for the unemployed and the many people in the private sector who face the prospect of unemployment and the lack of security because, after all, they comprise 80% of the workforce, which is much higher than the number of those of us in the public sector who are somewhat luckier.

I share Senator O'Toole's concern for the level of industrial action we are about to see. It is highly regrettable and I believe——